The objective of this study was to see if bacterially synthesized folate and supplemental folic acid are absorbed across the large intestine of piglets. [3H] folic acid or [3H] PABA was injected into the cecum of piglets. In piglets injected with [3H] folic acid the feces, liver, urine and kidneys accounted for 82.1, 12.3, 3.9 and 1.7% of the total recovered [3H] folate, respectively. In piglets injected with [3H] PABA, the amount of bacterially synthesized folate found in the feces, liver and urine accounted for 85.1, 0.4 and 14.6% of the recovered amount. Our results indicated that both bacterially synthesized folate and supplemental folic acid are absorbed across the colon and incorporated in the host's tissues. The amount and form of folate present could potentially impact whole body status as well as colonic health.